US Republicans introduce Bill seeking 3-year pause on H-1B visas, major reforms proposed
Republican lawmakers in US Congress have introduced a bill proposing a three-year pause on H-1B visa programme, along with major reforms, including a reduced cap, $200,000 minimum salary and stricter hiring rules
PTC Web Desk: A group of Republican lawmakers in the United States has moved a bill in Congress seeking a three-year suspension of the H-1B visa programme, arguing that it is increasingly being used to replace American workers with lower-cost foreign labour.
The proposed legislation, titled the “End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026,” was introduced by Eli Crane and has the backing of seven other Republican representatives. Among the co-sponsors are Brian Babin, Brandon Gill, Wesley Hunt, Keith Self, Andy Ogles, Paul Gosar and Tom McClintock.
The bill outlines a series of sweeping changes to the H-1B system. It proposes cutting the annual visa cap from 65,000 to 25,000 and introducing a minimum salary threshold of $200,000 per year. It also seeks to bar H-1B visa holders from bringing dependents to the United States.
In addition, the legislation calls for replacing the current lottery-based allocation system with a wage-based selection process. Employers would be required to prove that no qualified American worker is available for the role and confirm that they have not recently laid off US employees. The bill also aims to prevent H-1B workers from holding multiple jobs and restrict their employment through third-party staffing firms.
Other provisions include a ban on federal agencies hiring or sponsoring non-immigrant workers, scrapping the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, and ensuring that H-1B visas remain strictly temporary. Under the proposal, visa holders would not be allowed to transition to permanent residency and would be required to leave the US before switching to another visa category.
Defending the move, Crane said the government must prioritise its own workforce over corporate interests, adding that the current system disadvantages American job seekers. Echoing similar concerns, Brandon Gill said immigration policies should serve American workers first.
Paul Gosar alleged that the programme has been misused to replace domestic employees, while Andy Ogles claimed that cheap foreign labour is displacing US workers.
The H-1B visa programme is widely used by American companies, especially in the technology sector, to hire skilled foreign professionals. Indian nationals form a significant share of these visa holders, particularly in fields such as IT and healthcare.
Supporters of the bill argue that it would tighten oversight and restore opportunities for American workers, though it is likely to face strong debate given the programme’s importance to industries reliant on global talent.